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Biomedical subjects

T Furuno

Publications and source records attributed to T Furuno.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Multiple pulmonary nodules manifested in a patient with NK cell granular lymphocyte proliferative disorder.

An 18-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with high temperature and dyspnea. A chest radiograph revealed the presence of multiple round nodules compatible with a metastatic lung cancer. The peripheral white blood cell count was 22,000/mm3 and more than 85 percent were atypical large lymphocytes with azurophilic granules. He was diagnosed as having natural killer (NK)-cell granular lymphocyte proliferative disorder (NK-GLPD) as the lymphocytes were positive with CD56, a cell surface marker characteristic for NK cells. The major pathologic finding of the tissue collected from the pulmonary nodules by transbronchial lung biopsy was infiltration of mostly large granular lymphocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

A new surgical approach to apical segment lung diseases, including carcinomas and inflammatory diseases.

A new surgical approach to lung cancer and inflammatory pulmonary diseases has been developed. This approach focuses on diseases located in the apical segments of the lung and showing invasion or severe adhesion to the apical thoracic wall or to vital organs near the thoracic dome (including superior sulcus tumors). The conventional posterolateral approach leaves the surgeon "blind" because it forces the surgeon to perform the operation looking up through a tube from the bottom. This limited view makes accurate assessment of the surrounding vital organs involved in these diseases almost impossible and also increases the risk of injury to adjacent vital organs. The incision in this new approach allows extensive retraction of the scapula to provide easier access to the posterior chest wall. Because the incision curves upward anteriorly, rather than downward as usual, it gives excellent exposure of the apical anterior thoracic region. In the few cases in which we have used this approach, we have found that the surgical field is in plain view and that the operation is consequently safer and easier. So far we have not encountered any complications, and we can recommend this approach with confidence.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Two-dimensional crystallization of catalase on a monolayer film of poly(1-benzyl-L-histidine) spread at the air/water interface.

Two-dimensional (2D) crystals of beef liver catalase were prepared by adsorption to a film of synthetic polypeptide, poly(1-benzyl-L-histidine) (PBLH), spread at the air/water interface. The crystallization experiments were carried out in the pH range of 4.8-6.4 for catalase solutions at low concentration (10 micrograms/ml). The pH-dependence suggested an electrostatic interaction in the binding of catalase to the PBLH film. At lower pH, small crystals were formed at a low binding rate, and at higher pH the binding was rapid and densely-packed 2D arrays with poor crystallinity were formed. To stimulate crystal growth, a thermal treatment was applied. One-shot heating of the interfacial catalase-PBLH film to 35-40 degrees C was remarkably effective to form larger 2D crystals. The structure of catalase 2D crystals has been analyzed by Fourier filtering of the transmission electron micrographs. The crystal form is a new one, containing four catalase molecules in the unit cell with lattice parameters of alpha = 187 A, b = 225 A and gamma = 92.8 degrees.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Direct visualization of polypeptide shell of ferritin molecule by atomic force microscopy.

The polypeptide shell of the ferritin molecule has been imaged in water by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The central dip and the quaternary structure could be observed on the surface of the ferritin molecule anchored inhomogeneously in two dimensions. These structures observed in the AFM images are quite similar to the electron density map near the top of the apoferritin viewed down from a 4-fold axis structure reported previously (S. H. Banyard, D. K. Stammers, and P. M. Harrison, 1978. Nature (Lond.). 271:282-284). It has been achieved by introducing a "self-screening effect" of the surface charges of the AFM sample (S. Ohnishi, M. Hara, T. Furuno, and H. Sasabe. 1992. Biophys. J. 63:1425-1431) and the specially sharpened stylus of AFM cantilever.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Two-dimensional crystallization of streptavidin by nonspecific binding to a surface film: study with a scanning electron microscope.

A two-dimensional (2D) crystal of streptavidin has been obtained by a nonspecific binding method. The protein molecules were bound and formed a dense packing on the film of poly(1-benzyl-L-histidine) spread at the surface of protein solution. The surface film was moderately heated to stimulate crystallization of bound streptavidin. A potential of this method for obtaining 2D crystals of soluble proteins is demonstrated. The present 2D crystal structure of streptavidin resembles that previously obtained by specific binding to biotinylated lipid. We show in addition that the 2D array of protein with usual size approximately 50 A can be imaged using a high resolution scanning electron microscope (HR-SEM) and subject to structural analysis at low resolution. Various limitations in HR-SEM degrade considerably the image quality. However, the usability of a bulk plate as specimen support would make HR-SEM a convenient tool, when such a substrate must be considered in application of protein arrays, and if an intrinsic low resolution is acceptable.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Receptor-mediated calcium signal playing a nuclear third messenger in the activation of antigen-specific B cells.

We have studied receptor-mediated calcium signals in antigen-specific B cells (trinitrophenol-specific B cell clone, TP67.21) using a confocal fluorescence microscope with an argon ion laser (488 nm) and a He-Cd laser (325 nm). Confocal fluorescence images of fluo-3 loaded B cells, excited by an argon ion laser, became much brighter and more nonhomogeneous than those before antigen stimulation. Time-dependent fluorescence changes in intensities were abrupt and quite similar to the patterns of the intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca2+]i observed by a conventional fluorescence microscope using fura-2. From the morphological patterns of the calcium images, the parts of the bright fluorescence seemed to belong to the nucleus in B cells. To confirm the above events we measured the confocal fluorescence images of the nucleus. From the fluorescence images of co-loaded Hoechst 33342 (a DNA-specific fluorescent probe), which excited by a He-Cd laser, the brighter parts of the fluo-3 fluorescence intensities were identified to the nucleus in B cells. This suggested the possibility that the increased intranuclear calcium ions may play a nuclear third messenger in B cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Creatine kinase-MB protein mass is a better indicator for the assessment of acute myocardial infarction in the lower range of creatine kinase level.

The theoretical and clinical validity of immunochemiluminometric assay of creatine kinase (CK)-MB protein mass was assessed in patients with acute myocardial infarction and the results were compared with those of immunoinhibition assay of CK activity. Serial changes of both CK-MB protein mass and CK-MB activity were analyzed in 20 consecutive patients. In all 312 samples from 20 patients, protein mass and activity of CK-MB showed good correlation. The exponential fitting of the time-value curve of CK-MB protein mass showed a better correlation coefficient than that of CK-MB activity (0.97 +/- 0.02 vs 0.93 +/- 0.07, p < 0.05), indicating that the CK-MB level measured by the immunochemiluminometric assay was less scattered than that measured by the immunoinhibition method. This finding was most evident at lower CK-MB values (< 500 IU/l). The rate of disappearance from serum of CK-MB protein mass was faster than that of CK-MB activity (0.54 +/- 0.23 hr-1 vs 0.28 +/- 0.13 hr-1, p < 0.001). This may indicate that some amount of the CK-MB activity may be inactivated in the early phase of the release into the serum from the necrotic myocardium. Thus, the immunochemiluminometric assay of CK-MB protein mass has superiority in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction compared with the immunoinhibition method, especially when the measured CK-MB level is low. This feature may be useful to distinguish a small myocardial infarction from severe ischemia without myocardial necrosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Cytosolic and intranuclear calcium signals in rat basophilic leukemia cells as revealed by a confocal fluorescence microscope.

A confocal fluorescence microscope with an argon-ion laser (488 nm) and a He-Cd laser (325 nm) was used to study spatial heterogeneity of the calcium signals in rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cloned cell line (RBL-2H3). After stimulation with antigen (2,4-dinitrophenol-conjugated bovine serum albumin), fluo-3-fluorescence intensities increased in individual RBL-2H3 cells with different lag times. Time-dependent profiles of the fluo-3-fluorescence intensities resembled closely the patterns of the sequential fluorescence-ratio images of fura-2, which were used to measure the intracellular free-calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in individual RBL-2H3 cells using a conventional fluorescence microscope. The present results obtained using the confocal fluorescence microscope showed spatial heterogeneities of fluo-3-fluorescence intensities, suggesting the existence of spatial heterogeneity of [Ca2+]i in RBL-2H3 cells. That is, the results showed that calcium signals first occurred transiently at pseudopodia in RBL-2H3 cells, then the signals transferred to the central parts of the cells. In addition, from the fluorescence images of co-loaded Hoechst 33342 (bisbenzimide H 33342, a DNA-specific probe) which were produced by excitation with a He-Cd laser, it was found that the fluorescence images of the nucleus were quite similar to those of the calcium signals mentioned above. This suggested that the receptor-mediated calcium signals were transferred not only to the cytoplasm but also to the nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Scanning electron microscopy of negatively stained catalase on a silicon wafer.

A high-resolution scanning electron microscope capable of 7 A spatial resolution at 30-kV accelerating voltage was used to observe negatively stained protein molecules. Thin platelet crystals, densely packed monolayers, and low-density deposits of beef liver catalase were prepared on the surface of silicon wafers and negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid. The tetrameric structure of the catalase molecule was observed for the first time by scanning electron microscopy on the surface of the smooth silicon wafer.

Catalase↗
PubMed1992

A fluorescent molecular rotor probes the kinetic process of degranulation of mast cells.

A confocal fluorescence microscope was used to study the exocytotic secretory processes of mast cells in combination with an fluorescent molecular rotor, 9-(dicyanovinyl)julolidine (DCVJ). DCVJ is known to be an unique fluorescent dye which increases its quantum yield with decreasing intramolecular rotation. Here, DCVJ-loaded peritoneal rat mast cells were stimulated with compound 48/80 and their fluorescence images were compared with fluorescence calcium images of fluo-3-loaded mast cells. Subsequent to transient increases in intracellular free calcium ion concentration, DCVJ fluorescence increased dramatically in the cytoplasm and formed a ring-like structure around the nucleus, suggesting the possibility that the dye bound to the proteins composing the cytoskeletal architecture. Furthermore, the increases of DCVJ fluorescence intensities were mostly blocked in the presence of cytochalasin D (10 microM). However, fluo-3 fluorescence intensities still increased after addition of compound 48/80.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1992

Differences in HTLV-I integration patterns between skin lesions and peripheral blood lymphocytes of HTLV-I seropositive patients with cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders.

We examined HTLV-I integration patterns in nine cases of HTLV-I-seropositive patients with cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders. The Southern blot on EcoRI digests of DNA revealed a discrete band of HTLV-I provirus (monoclonal integration) in either skin lesions or peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Four cases showed the monoclonal integration of HTLV-I provirus only in skin lesions: one case showed only in PBL and two cases showed in both skin and PBL. The Southern blot on PstI digests of DNA revealed a 2.4 Kb band of the internal construct of HTLV-I provirus (polyclonal integration) in the PBL of EcoRI-negative samples. The difference in HTLV-I integration patterns between skin lesions and PBL in these cases suggests that the monoclonal outgrowth of HTLV-I-infected cells in the skin is causatively associated with the pathogenesis of cutaneous ATL.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Problems in combined resection of adjacent organ in lung cancer: significance of preoperative and intraoperative ultrasonic examination].

Aggressive combined resections were carried out, on 24 lung cancer cases which showed invasion into surrounding organs. Those cases with wide infiltration of the ribs, and into surrounding intercostal tissues, and for those with invasion to diaphragm, the outcome of the operations was rather poor but, for those with invasion in pericardium and left atrium, fairly favorable results were obtained. These present results indicated that aggressive resections of adjacent organs is to be recommended for cases without N 2 infiltration. Experiences from these operations have taught us the importance and useful of diagnosis of the status of invasion of the tumor, during the operation by ultrasonogram (IUS), with direct contact of the probe to the thoracic wall or mediastinal organs, to discriminate the areas of chest wall and mediastinal organs that require resections. This method, in combination with esophagus ultrasonic endoscopy (EUS), enabled defining the infiltrated areas with accuracy far exceeding that obtained by tactile examination. Techniques of, and observations obtained by these examination methods are presented.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Structural analysis of muscle thin filament.

Thin sheets of Ac-Tm-Tn paracrystals were prepared in the presence of high concentration of Ca2+ ion and three-dimensional image analysis was performed. The optical diffraction pattern of an electron micrograph showed spots up to 1/1.6 nm-1 in the radial direction and up to 1/2.5 nm-1 in the axial direction, the best resolution ever obtained so far. The translationally filtered image showed clear polarity of filament which looked like a "spearhead" per each crossover repeat of actin helix. The three-dimensionally reconstructed model looked very similar to the inner regions (A+B domains) of the Ac-Tm-S1 complex obtained by Toyoshima and Wakabayashi (14, 15) when they were placed so that the "spearhead" pattern of the Tc-Tm-Tn complex and the "arrowhead" pattern of the Ac-Tm-S1 complex pointed in the same direction. The myosin-binding site of actin was identified by comparison of the two structures. The model of actin molecule cut out from the thin filament model had a low density region within itself, which was located about 2.5 nm from the helix axis. That low density region divided actin molecule into two domains, a large and a small domain. A dense "pillar" was detected which connected two neighboring actin molecules along a left-handed generic helix 1 nm from the helix axis. Two actin-actin binding sites which were responsible for the connection through the "pillar" were located on the inner surface of actin molecule. To obtain better crystalline arrays of actin, we tried a method utilizing adsorption to lipid. A positively-charged monolayer of lipids was formed on the surface of a small volume of buffer solution which was put in a microwell. Solution of negatively-charged F-actin was then injected into the buffer solution and was allowed to be joined to the lipid monolayer by electrostatic attraction. Fluidity of the lipid monolayer enabled the two-dimensional crystallization of actin. Electron microscopy revealed that larger paracrystalline arrays were formed more rapidly (less than 1 hr) than those formed within solution, which demonstrated the advantage of this adsorption method.

Actins↗
PubMed1991

[A case of ruptured aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta associated with active Behçet's disease].

A 63-year-old male receiving steroid for active Behçet's disease was admitted of massive hemoptysis. A pseudoaneurysm of about 5 cm in diameter caused by rupture of the aortic wall penetrating into the lung was detected on the descending thoracic aorta. Operation was performed using left atrium-femoral artery bypass with centrifugal pump. The technique of graft interposition was selected rather than patch closure to prevent postoperative anastomotic aneurysm. We consider that in the treatment of inflammatory aneurysm, use healthy aortic wall for suture and end-to-end anastomosis are very important. In spite of steroid supplementation, the inflammatory reaction get worse postoperatively and the dosage of steroid had to be increased to control inflammation. The patient is well 20 months after surgery.

Aorta, Thoracic↗
PubMed1990

4, 6-0-benzylidene-D-glucopyranose (BG) in the treatment of solid malignant tumours, an extended phase I study.

4, 6-0-Benzylidene-D-glucopyranose (BG), a derivative of benzaldehyde (BA), whose anti-tumour action has often been reported, showed responses in 10 out of 24 patients (41.7%). These patients consisted of 11 cases of primary lung cancer, 4 of metastatic lung cancer, 5 of gastric cancer, and one each of cancer of the sigmoid colon, liver, pancreas and prostate. There were two complete responses (one each of ipsilateral lung metastasis from breast cancer and metastatic liver lesions due to gastric cancer). The mean total dose of BG was 392.6 g, given by intravenous infusion of 1.2 g BG in 100 ml saline twice daily. The treatment was discontinued when no response was observed after two months. Careful monitoring showed no toxic action of BG at these large doses. Complete necrotic liquefaction of tumour, without any damage to surrounding tissue, was seen in 2 of 3 cases in which histological examination was feasible. It is apparent that BG, like BA, is not a cytotoxic agent in the ordinary sense, but its mechanism of action is still unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical significance of prominent negative T waves induced by exercise test].

The significance of deep T wave inversion during and after exercise in patients with coronary artery disease has not been studied well. Using the treadmill exercise test (modified Bruce's protocol) and coronary arteriography, we evaluated 361 patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. Results were compared for patients who developed significant T wave inversions of greater than 8 mm (prominent negative T wave: PNT) and for patients who had significant down-sloping ST depressions (DS). Sixteen patients had PNT (4%) which became maximum three to five min after exercise, and ranged in depth from 8 to 15 mm (10.9 +/- 2.4 mm). There were 83 patients with DS (23%). Exercise duration was 3.3 +/- 1.4 min in the PNT group and 4.4 +/- 1.9 min in the DS group (p less than 0.01). Prevalence of three-vessel disease or left main trunk disease was 88% (14 patients) in the PNT group, 28% in the DS group, and 19% (70 patients) in the entire 361 patients. Among the 14 patients who had three-vessel disease or left main trunk disease in the PNT group, the degree of multiple stenoses exceeded 90% in the major coronary arteries and that of the left main trunk stenosis exceeded 75%. The two remaining patients included one with two-vessel disease and severe 99% narrowing of the major coronary arteries and one patient having one-vessel disease with vasospastic angina during exercise. Prevalence of coronary revascularization was 69% in the PNT group and 36% in the DS group (p less than 0.025).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗